Wednesday, 20 May 2020 Luke 6:1-26
But Jesus knew what they were thinking… Luke 6:8
We see an All-knowing Lord Jesus in our reading today. The Pharisees failed to understand they were dealing with one who knew their minds thoroughly. He knows everything that goes through our mind; we cannot fool Him like we do the others around us. One day He will bring to light the hidden motives of the heart. (1Cor.4:5) If we would live our lives with this one thought ruling our hearts, you and I would be far from entertaining angry, malicious and lustful and unbelieving thoughts.
In today’s reading, we find the Pharisees waiting for an opportunity to trap Jesus. But Jesus knew every thought and plan they had up their sleeve. In Ps 139:2 David says it beautifully,‘ You perceive my thoughts from afar.’ Hence we need to ask ourselves: “What are some of the thoughts I am entertaining? Is it pleasing to the Lord? Is it building my faith in Jesus Christ?”
In Luke 6:2 we read of the Pharisees questioning Jesus’ authority asking Him – ‘Why are you doing this …?’ Today are you questioning His authority over your life? Are you asking Him why are doing this to me or why have you not done this for me? Are you struggling to understand Jesus’ work in your life through your finite minds? He is the Potter, you are the clay. He Is God who knows your end from the beginning. He is working things out in such a manner that you will be blessed and He will be glorified. When you struggle to understand His working in your life and you are flooded with negative thoughts hold on to 2 Corinthians 10: 5: “…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” Make your thought obedient to Christ!
Maybe you are wrestling with thoughts of inadequacy, asking yourself the question ‘Am I worthy to be your disciple? Am I good enough to ……. [fill in with whatever you feel you lack]. You see when Jesus picked up His disciples (Vs 12- 16), He did not pick up men who had it all. Rather He picked men with real problems. Peter has an issue of being impulsive, James and John were trying to see how their association with Jesus could get them a bigger position in life and afterlife. Thomas had real doubts he could not handle; and last but not the least Judas, who really had a problem. Yet, God chose them to fulfil His plans. God needs you too! He is not looking down at you rather He is looking out for you! Your adequacy comes not from what is within you rather from what is imparted to you as you become a child of God.
Perhaps you have woken up this morning with thoughts of inability due to your infirmities. We read in Luke 6:17-19 about our Saviour as one who stands amongst the helpless and hopeless people. He comes down to meet you at the point of your need. 1 Corinthians 10: 31 says [paraphrased] when you go through tough times He will provide a way out for you. All we need to do is what the people in this passage did (Luke 6:19)- tried to touch him. James 4:8 says “Come near to God and He will come near to you.”
Lay every doubtful and fearful thought at the foot of the cross and find rest and peace in Christ. Replace your thoughts with His— for they are way higher than yours!
THINK ON: …Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right whatever is pure whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. (Phil. 4: 8)
Listen: ‘HE Knows my name’